Walsh knew that was a jackpot returning 30 times the bet!
His heart twitched with envy.
Meanwhile, the Russian in red casually pocketed the silver coins spit out by the machine and excitedly continued to feed money into the slots of all four machines, then pulled the levers in rapid succession, his eyes darting back and forth over the spinning drums.
However, this time when the drums came to a halt, not a single machine awarded a prize. Undeterred, the Russian fixed his bloodshot eyes on the machines, continued to insert coins, and pulled the levers.
His luck spiked again as two of the machines displayed matching sets of symbols, and the clatter of falling silver coins further exhilarated him.
Just then, Viscount Freselle, Chair of the Fashion Week Committee, approached him with a few others, and said amiably, “Count Bobrinskoy, you have been playing for a whole day and night without eating anything. For the sake of your health, I suggest you take a rest…”
“Get out of my way! Don’t block me!”
The moment the young man finished speaking, several burly men who looked like bodyguards came over and pushed Viscount Freselle and his company backward with their bodies.
Viscount Freselle, left with no choice, quietly instructed the security inspector who had come with him, then walked away.
He then stationed several policemen around Count Bobrinskoy, ready to call a doctor for him should he faint or show signs of discomfort.
…
Joseph walked out of the south gate of Tuileries Palace, somewhat fatigued.
Queen Mary had agreed to be the ambassador for Fashion Week, requiring her to give a speech every two days, and naturally, he had to accompany her.
Fortunately, now that a four-league long east-west wooden railway had been built in Paris City, it took just over twenty minutes to reach the Tuileries Palace after entering the city, saving the Queen a lot of time.
According to the plan, the railway would extend further westward, providing a direct connection between Paris and the Palace of Versailles.
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Soon, one could travel from the Palace of Versailles to Paris City via coach in just over an hour, saving nearly 70% of the previous travel time.
This wooden railway, although expensive to build at 50 thousand livres per league—which is 4 kilometers—was the result after Murdock brought in British track workers to use new techniques to reduce costs; had French craftsmen been employed, it would have cost an additional 10 thousand.
However, just the convenience of the wooden railway for the nobles from Versailles to travel to Paris could increase Paris’s annual commercial income by at least a million livres—the shorter travel time meant the nobility had more time for shopping and entertainment.
Moreover, people who previously avoided going to Paris due to the distance or a rough journey would also increase their visits and spending in the city because of the railway.
Joseph stretched his arms and caught sight of the life-sized painting of “The Chosen Son” hanging at the front of the hall out of the corner of his eye—Queen Mary was extremely pleased with this painting, and thinking of the many foreign dignitaries who would come for Fashion Week, had a copy hung here to “show off” her son.
Joseph shook his head in embarrassment and wondered whether he should have Fouche arrange for someone to steal the painting in the middle of the night when he saw Viscount Freselle coming towards him with a worried expression.
The man nearly bumped into the Crown Prince before realizing, promptly halting and bowing deeply.
Joseph smiled and asked, “Viscount Freselle, are you in some trouble?”
Freselle hesitated a moment and then said, “Your Highness, Count Bobrinskoy of Russia has been at the amusement hall for a day and a night, and hasn’t eaten a meal in that time. I have tried to persuade him several times to no avail. You know, with his status, should anything happen, it might…”
“Count Bobrinskoy?”
Joseph frowned slightly. Eman promptly leaned in and whispered, “Your Highness, that’s the Empress of Russia’s illegitimate son. He has been loitering in Paris for several years now, and many nobles know him.”
Joseph nodded in realization, “Is it Alexei?”
“Yes, Your Highness, that’s his name.”
Joseph’s eyes narrowed, realizing that Catherine’s younger son, the future brother of Tsar Paul I, had also come to attend Fashion Week.
He suddenly remembered from watching the Russian series “Empress Catherine” that Alexei had been traveling around the world since he was young to avoid threatening his brother’s position as heir[1]. However, because of his reckless behavior, Catherine could hardly tolerate his foolish actions, and it seemed she would soon recall him to Russia and then banish him to a remote town for reflection.
France is currently seeking an alliance with Russia in order to launch a strategy in North Africa. This Alexei is greatly favored by Catherine II, and this could be an opportunity to have a chat with him, which might yield unexpected results.
He gestured to Freselle, “Please lead the way, I’ll go and persuade him.”
“Oh, thank you so much, Your Highness.”
In the gaming hall, Alexei was still excitedly inserting coins and pulling levers when he saw a young man with an extraordinary air appear before him, smiling at him.
His gaze changed for a moment, but then he turned his attention back to the slot machine, muttering under his breath, “What do you want? Please step aside.”
Joseph saw him insert a silver coin and forcefully pulled the handle for him, laughing, “I remember as a child, because I was not in the best of health, I spent some time recuperating at Meudon Castle.
“You know, there were no tutors or ceremonial officers there, I could ride horses and climb trees whenever I wanted, it was full of freedom and relaxation.”
“Later, whenever I was tormented by various courses to the point of irritation, I would feign illness and go there to ‘recuperate’ for a few months.”
“Until one time, I wanted my ‘happy holiday’ to last a little longer, so I pretended to have a serious illness, the kind that looked as if I were about to die. I was fully convinced that this time I could stay at Meudon Castle for an entire year.”
“But guess what happened?”
“My mother was terribly worried, called all the court imperial physicians to diagnose me, bled me several times—oh, and there were enemas too—thoroughly torturing me in the process.”
“In the end, I had to end my own illness. Afterwards, my mother told me that to keep a close eye on my health, I would have to stay in the Palace of Versailles from now on and could never go to Meudon Castle again.”
“Do you think I was too foolish at that time, haha.”
Alexei paused for a moment, and then understood the meaning of the Crown Prince—he immediately remembered the painting of the “Child of Divine Favor” he saw upon seeing Joseph. In order to avoid the political struggles of Saint Petersburg and to make his brother Paul’s succession smoother, he deliberately acted the part of a prodigal, playing around the world.
But as the Crown Prince had just said, if he overdid his act, it would surely worry his mother and she would keep him close for discipline.
He took a step back, put away his playful expression, and with a hand on his chest, bowed gracefully, speaking in perfect French, “Thank you for the reminder, Crown Prince. I presume you already know my identity. It’s a pleasure to meet you here.”
“Yes, Earl Bobrinsky.” Joseph smiled back, “I believe you need a dinner now, and plenty of sleep. If you disagree, I might have to temporarily close this amusement hall.”
A moment later, as the two were on their way to the restaurant, Joseph continued the small talk, “I’ve heard some rumors about you.”
Alexei, a bit groggy from staying up late, smiled and said, “It seems I’m quite famous, Your Highness.”
“What I mean is, based on your current actions, the Empress may soon order you to return to Russia.”
Alexei shrugged nonchalantly, “Perhaps.”
In truth, he had already heard the news from Saint Petersburg—his mother had asked the Russian ambassador about his situation several times, indicating her intent to call him back.
But what could he do? His brother’s position as the Crown Prince had always been quite precarious. He dearly loved his brother and didn’t want to add any pressure on him. Thus, acting the part of a debauchee was the only thing he could do to help his brother.
He mumbled, “In the end, this is all I can do.”
Kesode checked the restaurant’s private box with the guards and nodded at Joseph.
The latter led Alexei in to sit down, looking at the illegitimate child, “What would you like to eat?
“Actually, there is a lot you can do. I mean, things unrelated to politics. And doing so might actually keep you farther away from Saint Petersburg.”
[Note 1] Before Paul I, the Russian Tsar’s succession was different from most European countries, as it was designated by the previous Tsar. Therefore, although Alexei was an illegitimate child, if he was greatly favored by Catherine II or had significant political prestige, he had the potential to replace Paul as Crown Prince.